FEWS

FEWS NET, or the Famine Early Warning System Network, is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project that monitors and analyzes food security conditions worldwide to provide early warning of potential food crises and to inform humanitarian response. It serves governments, humanitarian organizations, donors, and the public with timely, evidence-based information about where and when people may be at risk of hunger.

The project integrates data from multiple sources to produce regular analyses and products. Core inputs include rainfall and vegetation data, crop production estimates, market prices, and household food security and nutrition indicators. FEWS NET develops country-specific analyses and global overviews, including 6- to 12-month Food Security Outlooks, Early Warning Analyses, and Situation Reports. Outputs are complemented by maps, dashboards, and other visualization tools to help users interpret trends and risks.

Geographic reach and structure: FEWS NET maintains country teams that monitor conditions across Africa, parts of Asia, and the Americas, with coverage and emphasis adapting to evolving risks. The network operates through a consortium of international humanitarian organizations and research institutions, under USAID oversight, and collaborates with national governments, regional bodies, and partners to share findings and coordinate responses.

History and purpose: The initiative traces its origins to the Famine Early Warning System established by USAID in the 1980s. It later expanded and evolved into FEWS NET in the 1990s to offer broader, region-wide food security monitoring and analysis. Its information products are intended to support proactive planning, timely aid delivery, and resilience-building in food-insecure populations.

Limitations: Forecasts carry uncertainties due to data gaps, model limitations, and rapidly changing factors such as conflicts or market shocks. FEWS NET aims to inform, not to replace, on-the-ground assessment and local context.